The star of Non-Stop told the UK's Hull Daily Mail that he had been asked put on Bond's suit early on in his career, and that the team behind the series had really, really wanted him to jump on board. But he says that his wife-to-be (meaning Richardson), said to him, "If you play James Bond we're not getting married!" His thoughts on that? "[...] I had to take that on board, because I did want to marry her."

Bottom line: it didn't hurt his career, and he he still got to marry the woman he wanted to marry, even if she, sadly, died a too-soon death. He obviously remembers their relationship fondly and warmly, and he seems like he has zero regrets about turning down the role.